A fire at Baghajatin Market in Kolkata destroyed at least 45 shops early on Tuesday, with 15 fire engines deployed as firefighters worked to contain the blaze during the Durga Puja season. The fire had not been completely brought under control by 8am, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin – Kolkata.
The fire was reported shortly after 3.30am at the old and crowded market, where a large number of small and large vendors depend on daily trading for their livelihoods. Many of the affected shops were reportedly stores selling puja-related goods and ritual items.
One woman vendor told the publication that she had stocked idols of Lakshmi and other puja materials ahead of Lakshmi Puja, which follows Durga Puja. The idols and other goods in her shop were destroyed in the fire. The loss is particularly significant for traders who had increased their investment in stock expecting higher sales during the festive season.
The first fire engine reached the market after the blaze was reported, with the number of engines later increasing to 15. Residents and traders alleged that the fire services response was delayed and that the fire had spread beyond control by the time additional engines arrived. These allegations were reported by the publication and had not been independently confirmed in the supplied material.
The cause of the fire remained unclear as of the report’s publication. Fire officials were examining how the blaze started. No official assessment of the total financial loss, injuries or damage to adjoining structures was provided in the supplied report.
The incident has left traders seeking immediate assistance from the state government. Several affected business owners said their shops were their only source of income and requested financial support to rebuild and resume operations. Their losses include both the physical shop premises and the festival inventory purchased for the trading season.
The fire also highlights the vulnerability of older, densely occupied markets where closely packed shops, combustible merchandise and limited access for emergency vehicles can complicate firefighting. However, the supplied report does not establish whether any specific fire-safety violation, electrical fault or access problem caused or worsened the incident.
Fire services were continuing their operations at the market as of 8am, while the cause of the fire and the extent of the losses remained under examination. Further details are expected after the authorities complete their assessment.
